Subject: Modern History

Why in the news?

The Mahad Satyagraha is hailed as the foundational event of the Dalit movement, marking the community’s collective rejection of the caste system and assertion of human rights.

About Mahad Satyagraha

• The Mahad Satyagraha, also known as Chavdar Tale (Lake) Satyagraha, was led by B. R. Ambedkar on 20 March 1927 in Mahad, Raigad District of Maharashtra.
• Its aim was to assert the right of untouchables to use water from a public tank.

1. Background:

• Untouchables (Dalits) were segregated in Indian society and banned from using public water bodies and roads used by other Hindu castes.
• In August 1923, the Bombay Legislative Council passed a resolution allowing depressed classes to use government-maintained places, but it faced opposition from savarna Hindus.
• In January 1924, Mahad passed a resolution in its municipal council to enforce the act but failed to implement it due to protests.

2. Satyagraha:

• In 1927, Ambedkar launched a satyagraha to assert untouchables’ rights to use water in public places.
• Mahad was chosen for the event due to its support from ‘caste Hindus’.
• Surendranath Tipnis, president of the Mahad municipality, invited Ambedkar to hold a meeting there.
• Ambedkar drank water from the tank, followed by thousands of untouchables.
• He encouraged Dalit women to abandon customs of untouchability and wear saris like high-caste women, which they embraced.
• A riot erupted over rumors of Ambedkar planning to enter a Hindu temple, and the tank was purified with cow-urine and cow-dung.
• Ambedkar planned a second conference in Mahad in December 1927 but faced legal obstacles due to a case filed by caste Hindus.
• On 25 December 1937, the Bombay High Court ruled that untouchables have the right to use water from the tank.

3. Legacy:

• On 19 March 1940, Ambedkar arranged a rally in Mahad to commemorate the Satyagraha as “Empowerment Day.”

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Back2Basics: Key Initiatives and Movements Led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Initiative	Location	Objective
Temple Entry Movement (1920s-1930s)	Various Locations	Advocating for the right of Dalits to enter Hindu temples.
Mahad Satyagraha (Chavdar Tale Satyagraha)	Mahad, Maharashtra	Asserting the rights of untouchables to use water from a public tank.
Kalaram Mandir Movement (1930)	Nashik, Maharashtra	Demanding temple entry rights for Dalits at the Kalaram Mandir.
Annihilation of Caste (1936)	–	Publication of “Annihilation of Caste,” advocating for the abolition of the caste system.
Formation of Independent Dalit Political Party (Independent Labour Party) (1936)	–	Addressing the political concerns and aspirations of Dalits.
Push for Separate Electorate by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (1932)	India	Advocating for separate electorates for Dalits to ensure their political representation and empowerment.
Legal Advocacy (1940s-1950s)	–	Drafting of the Hindu Code Bills, contribution to the framing of the Indian Constitution.
Conversion to Buddhism (1956)	Nagpur, Maharashtra	Symbolizing a rejection of the caste system through mass conversion ceremony to Buddhism.

 

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PYQ: [2018] Which one of the following is a very significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha? (a) Active all-India participation of lawyers, students and women in the National Movement (b) Active involvement of Dalit and Tribal communities of India in the National Movement (c) Joining of peasant unrest to India’s National Movement (d) Drastic decrease in the cultivation of plantation crops and commercial crops

Why in the news?

On April 13, 1919, Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer ordered British troops to open fire on a peaceful gathering in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, leaving a deep scar on India’s collective memory.

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

1. Background: Protesting the contentious Rowlatt Act

• The act officially known as the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act, 1919 was passed in 1919 by the Imperial Legislative Council.
• It had authorized the British government to arrest anybody suspected of terrorist activities.
• It also authorized the government to detain such people arrested for up to 2 years without trial.
• It empowered the police to search a place without a warrant. It also placed severe restrictions on the freedom of the press.
• The primary intention of colonial govt. was to repress the growing nationalist movement in the country.
• The British were also afraid of a Ghadarite Revolution in Punjab and the rest of the country.

1. The day

• The massacre took place on 13 April 1919 when troops of the British Indian Army (Gurkha and Sikh infantry regiments) under the command of Col. Reginald Dyer fired rifles into a crowd of Indians.
• The civilians had assembled for a peaceful protest to condemn the arrest and deportation of two national leaders, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew.
• Dyer without warning ordered his troops to fire at the unarmed crowd which included children as well.
• The indiscriminate firing went on for about 10 minutes which resulted in the deaths of at least 1000 people and injured more than 1500 people.

1. Aftermath

• In protest against the massacre, Rabindranath Tagore gave up his knighthood.
• Gandhiji relinquished his title ‘Kaiser-e-hind’ bestowed on him by the British for his services during the Boer War in South Africa.
• Michael O’Dwyer, the then Lieutenant-Governor of Punjab, who had approved the actions of Dyer, was assassinated by Udham Singh in London in 1940 as revenge against the massacre.
• The heroic treatment of Dyer’s heinous act again set a benchmark of colonial arrogance.

Hunter Commission for Inquiry

• In October 1919 the Secretary of State for India, Edwin Montagu, ordered the formation of a committee of inquiry into the events in Punjab.
• Referred to as the Disorders Inquiry Committee, it was later more widely known as the Hunter Commission (Not to be confused with Hunter Education Commission).
• The commission inquiry was concluded without any significant conclusion.
• Still, there are long-standing demands in India that Britain should apologize for the massacre.

PYQ: [2012] The Rowlatt Act aimed at: (a) Compulsory economic support to war efforts (b) Imprisonment without trial and summary procedures for trial (c) Suppression of the Khilafat Movement (d) Imposition of restrictions on freedom of the press

Why in the news?

• Prime Minister recently suggested a link between the Congress manifesto and the Muslim League (which is responsible for the Partition of India), prompting a political debate.
• In rebuttal, critics reminded of a coalition governments formed by Hindu Mahasabha in Bengal, Sindh, and North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) in the 1940s with the Muslim League.

Provincial Elections of 1937: [A] Indian National Congress Congress performed admirably in the 1937 provincial elections, held under the mandate of the Government of India Act of 1935. It won 711 of a total 1,585 provincial assembly seats, with absolute majorities in 5 of the 11 provinces (Madras, Bihar, Orissa, Central Provinces, and United Provinces) and a near-majority in Bombay (86 out of 175). Congress ministries were formed in all of these provinces. Sometime later, the Congress also formed governments in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Assam. [B] Non-Congress Parties Non-Congress governments were formed in the remaining 3 provinces — Sindh, Punjab, and Bengal. In Sindh, a coalition led by the Sind United Party formed the government; in Punjab, Sikandar Hayat Khan’s Unionist Party won a majority. And in Bengal, Fazlul Huq’s Krishak Praja Party (KPP) formed a coalition government with the Muslim League— even though the Congress was the single largest party with 54 seats. [C] Religion based Parties Notably, the Muslim League, which claimed to be the sole representative of Indian Muslims, performed abysmally in the elections. The League won just 106 out of the 482 seats allotted to Muslims under separate electorates, and it failed to win even a single seat in the NWFP. The Hindu Mahasabha, which had entered electoral politics in the 1930s under V D Savarkar’s leadership, too fared miserable.

Ideological Alignment and Political Alliances

• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar noted ideological similarities between the Hindu Mahasabha and the Muslim League, both advocating for the two-nation theory.
• This ideological convergence paved the way for short-lived political alliances, particularly during the turmoil following Congress’s resignation from provincial ministries in 1939.

Reasons for such Alliance

• Opposition to Quit India Movement:  When Mahatma Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement in 1942, the Muslim League and Hindu Mahasabha refrained from participating, opting to support the British war effort.
• Support for British War Efforts: Savarkar, in a letter, instructed Mahasabha members to remain loyal to their positions and not join the movement, while Syama Prasad Mookerjee pledged support to suppress any internal disturbances.
• Increased Push for Partition: Jinnah, meanwhile, intensified his campaign for Pakistan, capitalizing on the absence of Congress leaders and positioning himself as the sole spokesman for Muslims.

Muslim League:  The All India Muslim League was formed in 1906 in Dhaka, Bengal Presidency, British India. It was established in response to the perceived marginalization and political underrepresentation of Muslims in the Indian National Congress. The founding members of the Muslim League included prominent Muslim leaders such as Nawab Salimullah Khan of Dhaka, Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk, Aga Khan III, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who later emerged as its most influential leader. The primary objective of the Muslim League was to safeguard the political rights and interests of Muslims in India. It advocated for separate electorates for Muslims, reservations in government jobs and legislative bodies, and other measures to protect Muslim identity and interests. Hindu Mahasabha:  The Hindu Mahasabha was founded in 1915 in Amritsar, Punjab, by Madan Mohan Malaviya and others. It aimed to unite Hindus under one political umbrella and promote Hindu nationalism. Besides Madan Mohan Malaviya, prominent leaders included Lala Lajpat Rai, B. S. Moonje, and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. It promoted the idea of Akhand Bharat (Undivided India) and opposed the partition of India on religious lines.

 Implications of this Coalition

• The period following Congress’s participation in the Quit India Movement saw the rise of the Muslim League’s influence, with League ministries established in several provinces by 1943.
• Jinnah’s strategy to capitalize on Congress’s absence contributed to his claim as the sole representative of Indian Muslims, furthering the demand for Pakistan.

PYQ: [2018] In the Federation established by The Government of India Act of 1935, Residuary Power were given to the: (a) Federal Legislature (b) Governor General (c) Provincial Legislature (d) Provincial Governors

Why in the news?

This year April 1^st marks 100 years of the Vaikom Satyagraha, in Kottayam, Kerala.

About Vaikom Satyagraha

• Vaikom was the epicentre of the Vaikom Satyagraha, which began in 1924.
• This movement aimed to challenge the ban imposed on marginalized communities from entering the vicinity of the Vaikom Mahadevar Temple in the princely state of Travancore.
• It sparked similar temple entry movements across India, advocating for the rights of untouchables and backward castes.
• It introduced nonviolent public protest as a method of resistance in Kerala.

A Precursor to the Vaikom Satyagraha

1. Social and Political Developments

• Backdrop of Social Injustice: Travancore, characterized by feudal and caste-based governance, imposed stringent restrictions on lower castes, denying them entry to temples and public spaces.

• Emergence of Social Consciousness: By the late 19th century, progressive reforms and missionary activities led to increased awareness and education among lower castes, particularly the Ezhavas.
• Rise of Educated Elite: Educated individuals from diverse backgrounds, including lower castes, began to challenge social norms and demand equality in opportunities and rights.

2. Beginning of Agitation

• Advocacy for Change: Ezhava leader T K Madhavan spearheaded efforts to challenge temple entry restrictions, advocating for direct action to confront discriminatory practices.
• Influence of Gandhi’s Ideals: Inspired by Gandhi’s principles of non-cooperation, Madhavan sought support from the Indian National Congress (INC) to mobilize a mass movement against untouchability.

Actual Course of Events

1. Agitation

• Leaders such as T.K. Madhavan, K.P. Kesava Menon, and George Joseph spearheaded the agitation.
• Despite facing resistance and arrests by the police, the Satyagrahis persisted in their protest for over a year, resulting in numerous arrests and jails.
• Notable figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Chattampi Swamikal, and Sree Narayana Guru extended their support to the movement, which gained nationwide recognition.
• The involvement of women and support from various regions, including Punjab, highlighted the widespread impact of the Satyagraha.

2. Suspension:

• Initially suspended in April 1924 at Gandhi’s suggestion, the movement resumed when attempts to resolve the issue with caste Hindu leaders failed.
• The absence of leaders like T.K. Madhavan and K.P. Kesava Menon, who were arrested, posed challenges to the movement.
• V. Ramaswamy Naicker (Periyar) lent support from Tamil Nadu before also being arrested.
• The resolution for the right to temple entry faced resistance in the Assembly, thwarted by traditionalist support and government pressure.

3. Aftermath

• On October 1, 1924, a procession of Savarnas (forward castes) submitted a petition to the Regent Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bai of Travancore, signed by around 25,000 individuals, urging for the temple’s open entry.
• Gandhi’s meeting with the Regent Maharani and the procession led by Mannath Padmanabhan Nair underscored the growing support for the cause.
• Eventually, on November 23, 1925, all temple gates were opened to Hindus except the eastern gate, marking a significant victory.
• The Vaikom Satyagraha laid the groundwork for the temple entry proclamation of Kerala in 1936 and inspired similar movements’ nationwide, promoting social justice and equality.

PYQ: Satya Shodhak Samaj organized (2016): (a) a movement for upliftment of tribals in Bihar’ (b) a temple-entry movement in Gujarat (c) an anti-caste movement in Maharashtra (d) a peasant movement in Punjab   Practice MCQ: The Vaikom Satyagraha of 1924 was essentially a: (a) Temple Entry Movement (b) Peasants’ Uprising (c) Salt Satyagraha (d) Swadeshi Movement

Why in the news?

• Recently premiered on an OTT Platform, the film “Ae Watan Mere Watan” delves into the narrative of Usha Mehta and Congress Radio during the Quit India Movement of 1942.

Who was Usha Mehta (1920-2000)?

• Usha Mehta was born on March 25, 1920, in Mumbai, India.
• Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience, Usha Mehta became actively involved in the Indian independence movement from a young age.
• One of Usha Mehta’s most notable contributions to the freedom struggle was her involvement in the radio broadcasting network known as the “Secret Congress Radio.”
• She was conferred the Padma Vibhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honours in 1998.

The Secret ‘Congress Radio’

• On August 8, 1942, the historic Quit India Resolution was passed during the All India Congress Committee meeting in Bombay.
• In this response, the idea of an underground radio station, known by various names such as the Freedom Radio, the Ghost Radio, or the Congress Radio, was conceived to counter the British-controlled AIR.
• Usha Mehta, a 22 YO master’s student at Wilson College, became the voice of the Congress Radio.
• The radio was an expensive endeavour, but funds were procured through various means, including contributions from Mehta’s colleague, Babubhai Khakhar.
• Radio engineering expert Nariman Abarbad Printer constructed the Congress Radio transmission set.
• Their first broadcast was on 14 August 1942.
• Welcome line in her voice: “This is the Congress Radio calling on 42.34 from somewhere in India.”
• In the beginning, they were broadcasting twice a day, in Hindi and English. But they reduced it to just once in the evening between 30 and 8.30 pm.
• On 12^th November 1942, the police raided the radio while Vande Mataram was being played and arrested Mehta and others.

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PYQ:

2011: With reference to Indian freedom struggle, Usha Mehta is well-known for-

1. Running the secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India Movement
2. Participating in the Second Round Table Conference
3. Leading a contingent of Indian National Army
4. Assisting in the formation of Interim Government under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

 

2021: With reference to 8th August, 1942 in Indian history, which one of the following statements is correct?

1. The Quit India Resolution was adopted by the AICC.
2. The Viceroy’s Executive Council was expanded to include more Indians.
3. The Congress ministries resigned in seven provinces.
4. Cripps proposed an Indian Union with full Dominion Status once the Second World War was over

Practice MCQ:

In context to the Secret ‘Congress Radio’ in modern Indian history, consider the following statements:

1. It was established to supplement the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930s.
2. Usha Mehta was the voice of Congress Radio.
3. It was broadcasted twice a day, in Hindi and English

How many of the given statements is/are correct?

1. One
2. Two
3. Three
4. None

Why in the news-

• The Maharashtra cabinet has resolved to request the Ministry of Railways to rename Mumbai Central station after Nana Jagannath Shankarseth, a revered social reformer, educationist, and philanthropist often hailed as the “architect” of Mumbai.

About Nana Jagannath Shankarseth (1803-1865)

• Born on February 10, 1803, in Murbad, Thane, into the affluent Murkute family.
• His father, Shankar Murkute, earned the nickname “Shankar Sheth” due to his success in the jewellery and diamond trade.
• He contributed in terms of both ideas and money to multiple sectors, to lay a strong foundation for the Bombay City.
• He was greatly inspired by the legendary merchant and philanthropist Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy.

Contribution of Nana Jagannath Shankarseth

• Founded the Bombay Association in 1852, the first political organization in Mumbai, fostering a platform for civic engagement and political discourse.
• Played a pivotal role as one of the founding members of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway in 1853, contributing to India’s infrastructural development.
• Recognized the importance of education in societal progress and opened the first school for girls in Mumbai in 1849, pioneering educational reform.
• Co-founded the School Society and the Native School of Bombay, laying the foundation for educational institutions that nurtured future leaders such as Dadabhai Naoroji and Gopal Krishna Gokhale.
• Established the Bombay Native Education Society in 1822, the first of its kind in Western India, to promote education among the masses.
• Collaborated with Sir George Birdwood and Dr Bhau Daji in major reconstruction efforts in Mumbai starting in 1857, transforming the city’s urban landscape.
• Became the first Indian to be nominated to the Bombay Legislative Council in 1861, advocating for policies that improved public welfare and urban amenities.
• Honored with a marble statue at the Asiatic Society of Mumbai a year after his death in 1865, commemorating his contributions to society.

 

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Try this PYQ from CSE Prelims 2012:

Q.The most effective contribution made by Dadabhai Naoroji to the cause of Indian National Movement was that he-

1. exposed the economic exploitation of India by the British
2. interpreted the ancient Indian texts and restored the self-confidence of Indians
3. stressed the need for eradication of all the social evils before anything else

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

 

Practice MCQ:

Q. Consider the following events:

He founded the Bombay Association in 1852, the first political organization in Mumbai, fostering a platform for civic engagement and political discourse. Recognizing the importance of education in societal progress, he opened the first school for girls in Mumbai in 1849, pioneering educational reform. He became the first Indian to be nominated to the Bombay Legislative Council in 1861, advocating for policies that improved public welfare and urban amenities.

The above description is mentioned about which of the following personality?

a) Gopal Krishna Gokhale

b) Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde

c) Nana Jagannath Shankarseth

d) Dhondo Keshav Karve